I know labor issues are incredibly loaded, probably more so outside the US, and I'm not interested in debating anything. I just want to say thank you to AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees). I've been laid off from two different jobs and the union members (my co-workers) and representatives stood up for me and supported me and helped me keep my job. Both situations were entirely bogus, but immensely stressful and I needed people to lean on to get through.

If you ever think you need to contact your union about something, do it.